Events of the Month

2003-MARCH

March is Women's history month. This year's theme is "Women
pioneering the future" 1

MAR-1: This is the fourth anniversary of the landmine ban treaty.
Sixty-four countries have not ratified the convention, including the
U.S. 2,3

MAR-1: The International Death
Penalty Abolition Daywill be observed. Amnesty International
groups around the world conduct events and actions in an
attempt to persuade countries to abandon the death
penalty. 3

MAR-1: This is St. David's day. Saint David, or Dewi Sant as he
is known in the Welsh language, is the patron saint of Wales. "He was a
Celtic monk, abbot and bishop, who lived in the sixth century. During his
life, he was the archbishop of Wales, and he was one of many early saints
who helped to spread Christianity among the pagan Celtic tribes of western
Britain." 5

MAR-2:Four Chaplain's Sunday is a
Christian/Jewish Interfaith celebration. It recalls an event during World War
II when four Chaplains, both Jews and Christians gave away their life jackets
to soldiers when a troop ship sank in the Atlantic Ocean.

MAR-3: This is the third day of the third month, of the third
year, of the third millennium, CE. Some
New Agers have planned an experiment into global
consciousness for this day. It is scheduled to begin at 03:33 local time
in Figi. The conservative Christian World Prayer Center recommends
that Christian churches and individuals pray for three minutes at 3:33 PM
local time to pray that war in the Iraq can be avoided. If war does
happen, they suggest praying that it does not trigger World War III, and
that no weapons of mass destruction are used.

MAR-5: This is Ash Wednesday for Western Christians. Lent begins. It
is a period of fasting and spiritual pursuit, leading up to Easter Sunday on
APR-20.

MAR-5: Pope John Paul II has called for a day of peace today.
He is concerned that the world is being held hostage by what he calls the
"logic of war." On 2003-FEB-23, he said: "The future of humanity
should never be tied down by terrorism and the logic of war. Never, never,
never!" 7

MAR-5:Muslims observe Muharramon this day. It is their New Years, the first day of the first
lunar month.

MAR-7: This is observed as the World Day of Prayer by
some Christians on the first Friday of March. It "is a worldwide
movement of Christian women of many traditions who come together to
observe a common day of prayer each year, and who, in many countries, have
a continuing relationship in prayer and service." 6
This year's theme is "Holy Spirit, Fill Us." This is sometimes confused with the Roman
Catholic
World Day of Prayer for Vocations which will be held in 2003 on
MAY-11.

MAR-8: This is International Women's Day. It was created
by the Socialist Party of America, on 1909-FEB-28. It has since
become an international day of celebration.

MAR-10: This is the FirstDay of the Great Fast (Lent) for Eastern Orthodox
Christians.

MAR-13:Muslims observe the fast of 'Ashura.
It recalls an event circa 680-OCT-20 CE in Iraq when an
army of the Umayyad regime martyred a group of 70 individuals who refused to
submit to the Caliph. One of the martyrs was Imam Husain, the youngest
grandson of Prophet Muhammad. The day is also associated with the safe
landing of Noah's Ark.

MAR-14: This is the SikhNew
Year's Day for the year 535 on the Nanakshahi calendar.

MAR-17:Christians celebrate St.
Patrick's Day. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. Many
people, even those without any Irish ancestry, wear green on this day.

MAR-20:Wiccans and many other Neopagans
celebrate Spring Equinox (a.k.a. Eostre, Ostara and Vernal Equinox) on
or about MAR-21 at 01:00 GMT (MAR-20 at: 20:00 PM EST). It is a time to enjoy the
rebirth of life after winter. It is a time of balance when daytime and
nighttime are both 12 hours in duration.

MAR-21: Members of the Baha'i Faith celebrate
Naw Ruz -- the first
day of their year. It is year 158 BE by their calendar.

MAR-21:Zoroastrians, with
the exception of those living in India, celebrate Norooz
(New Years) on this day -- the nominal date for the Spring Equinox. It
is celebrated with many symbols indicating re-growth and renewal.

MAR-25:Roman Catholics
celebrate The Annunciation. It is associated with
Gabriel's statement to the Virgin Mary that she would conceive and
bear a son, Jesus.

MAR-28:Jews observe Purim Purim, in memory of the defeat of
a genocide of Jews in Persia, as described in the book of
Esther in the Hebrew Scriptures.

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Events in early April:

APR-7: This is considered the probable date of Jesus'
execution, in the year 30 CE. Another likely date was
33-APR-3.

Although care was taken in the
preparation of this list, we cannot accept responsibility for any errors or
their consequences.